Midnight Sun, Volcanoes, Ice Ages and More: Iceland’s Crazy Secret Solstice Festival

May 13, 2017May 12, 2017 Mathew Kahansky 0 Comments

Usually a killer lineup is enough to draw in festival crowds, but sometimes unique features can lend that extra edge. Speaking of which, Iceland’s Secret Solstice Festival has the perfect combination of interesting draws. Sure there’s great headliners like Foo Fighters and The Prodigy, but it’s the parties inside glaciers, shows inside lava tunnels, and sun that never sets that really makes Reykjavik a crazy festival destination. Not quite your typical summer festival, right?

The Secret Solstice Festival really is a unique festival experience. In their fourth year, it takes place during the summer solstice, from June 15 to 18. That’s the time of year that indicates harvest season is coming, as days get longer and weather gets warmer. But that also means constant sunlight for the north – the sun never setting played a huge role in Norse mythology, and is what Iceland’s premier festival capitalizes on.

Secret Solstice boasts an incredible genre-spanning lineup that would easily be enough of a draw on its own. Foo Fighters and The Prodigy as previously mentioned, hip-hop icons like Rick Ross and Big Sean, upcoming hits like Anderson .Paak and Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and a wealth of American, European, and Icelandic rock bands, punk groups, DJs, and artists round out a killer offering. But of course, that’s not all.

The festival also plans several side events every year – exclusive excursions that are available separately from the main festival, but are cool enough to make the trip worth it. For example, the 2017 festival introduces the new Lava Tunnel event. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a limited number of guests are brought out to a subterranean cave system carved out by ancient Icelandic lava flows…and then they enjoy a show in them. The ticket includes bussing, drinks, a guided tour, and an acoustic set by a surprise guest in the geologic phenomenon. Or if you’re feeling something a bit cooler, there’s also Into The Glacier – a dance party inside the second-largest ice glacier in Europe. The three shows include DJs and an acoustic set, again all surprise guests, with a tour and drink tickets included. Because why the hell would you not want to party for hours while surrounded by ice?!

Festival passes for Secret Solstice 2017 are available now for about $280 CAD. There are also a variety of packages available including hotel or camping accommodations, flights, Icelandic tourism deals, and much more. One word of warning, though: Iceland’s geographic isolation really drives up local prices, and the conversion rate from krona to euros to dollars can be killer. If you’re going to check out this sweet fest, make sure to plan your finances wisely!

Full Lineup: